Electric switch for use with continuous web



Jan. 22, 1952 J. DUNGLER ELECTRIC SWITCH FOR uss WITH CONTINUOUS WEBFiled April 26, 1947 I5 Sheets-Sheet l I N VF IV TOR JUL/5v E A 6 MWM 0Nhm Jan. 22, 1952 J. DUNGLER 2,582,972

ELECTRIC swncu FOR usm WITH commuous WEB Filed April 26, 1947 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 22, 1952 J DUNGLER 2,582,972

ELECTRIC SWITCH FOR USE WITH CONTINUOUS WEB Filed April 26, 1947 3Sheets-Sheet s Fig.

I/ynra/Px JUL/[4 9006459 Pa tented Jan. 22, 1952 OFFICE ELECTRIC SWITCHFOR USE WITH CONTINUOUS WEB Julien Dungler, Basel, SwitzerlandApplication April 26, 1947, Serial No. 744,268 In France September 10,1946 'lClaims. I

This invention concerns improvements in or relating to electric contactdevices, in particular for use in connection with guiding equipment offabric, cloth and like web material (hereinafter called cloth materialfor the .sake of brevity) presented in full width as. for example, forthe automatic introduction in cloth dyeing machines, bleachingapparatus, tentering and drying machines, color-printing machines, etc.

The invention has reference to those known types of contact deviceswhich possess a feeler element with contact carriers, which element isarranged in relation to the position of the selvedge or side edge of thecloth under control, so that an electric circuit is operated to actuatemeans for regulating guide devices for the cloth. The contact feeler isdisposed for displacement in a plane substantially parallel to theselvedge, i. e. parallel to the direction of movement of the cloth. thefeeler being actuated by friction produced on the surface of theselvedge.

Such known types of contact devices in which a feeler is actuated byfriction and parallel to the direction of movement of the cloth, aregenerally satisfactory due to the fact that such devices possesssuillcient sensitivity in order to permit guidance of the cloth withoutrisking rolling over of the selvedge of a light weight or delicatematerial which, however, cannot be subjected to tensional force inlongitudinal direction.

It has further been found that a feeler contact device of knownconstruction has the disadvantage that it will respond to or reactprematurely or untimely on account of the smallest irregularities of thesdvedge and, therefore, disconnects very often those apparatuses whichare necessary for regulating the guidance of the fabric.

The present invention does away with these and other disadvantages andhas as one of its objects the provision of means affording apredetermined amount or extent of lateral deviation for the cloth orsimilar web material without producing a regulating action, butprincipally maintaining the feeler device in a position along thedirection of movement of the cloth.

The invention has as a further object the provision of means improvingthe feeler mechanism by employing two feelers which function in suchmanner that any disconnection causes displacement of the guide elementsin inverse directions. One of the feelers assures a minimum position ofthe selvedge below which the respective feeler releases an operationwhich urges reestablishment of contact for said feeler;

the other feeler fulfills the task of preventing the selvedge fromexceeding or passing over a maximum position or limit of deviationbeyond which the respective feeler causes its resettinll from itsout-of-contact position. Therefore, both feelers operate betweenopposite lateral limits which are pre-determined for the position of theselvedge or side edge portion of the cloth or similar material.

The invention further contemplates the provision of means permittingmodification or change of position of the respective feelers to theeffect that these positions may be regulated in accordance with thecloth to which they are applied and to the predetermined extent of thedeviation allowed for the selvedge.

With the foregoing objects in view together with such other objects andadvantages as may subsequently appear, the invention resides in theparts and in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts,hereafter described, claimed and illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a cross-sectional view of a device embodying the invention,the feelers of the device being illustrated in a plane perpendicular tothe direction of movement of the cloth.

Figs. 2 to 4 are sectional views of the device, taken along line A-A ofFig. 1 and show the device in three different positions.

Fig. 5 is a front-elevational view of the device. illustrating thesupports for the guide rollers of the cloth.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated acasing or box i which serves the purpose of supporting and housing twoactuating feelers 2 and l, the upper parts of which extend beyond theexterior of box lid or cover 4 at which the selvedge or side edge ofcloth 5 is supported on guide rollers i and I.

Feeler 2 which, in this instance, assures a minimum" position for thecloth, is supported by and between pivots 8 and I which are arrangedperpendicular to the direction of the movement of cloth 5 and arejournalled, respectively, in a side wall of easing l and in a traverse 9which extends within said casing. At the lower extremity of the feeler 2there is afllxed an electric contact piece or top Ill adapted tocooperate with a stationary electric contact stud II.

The upper portion of feeler 2 is held under the action of a helicalspring I! which tends to retract the feeler, said spring being fixed, onthe one hand, to the inner wall of the lid and. on flie other hand. to aprojection 2a of the feeler 2,

and having the tendency to establish connection between contact pieceill and contact stud ii. The pivotal movement of the feeler 2 is limitedby opposite spaced abutments l3 (Fig. 2).

The feeler 3 controlling the maximum" position, is disposed for pivotalmovement about the same geometrical axis as is feeler 2 and is supportedby pivot pieces 8' and I4. On its lower part feeler 3 carries a contacttip 15 adapted to cooperate with a stationary contact piece or stud I6.The upper portion of feeler 3 is subjected to the action of a helicalspring H which is attached, on the one hand, to the inner wall of lid 4and, on the other hand, at l8 to the feeler 3 which is thus maintainednormally in a position indicated in Fig. 2, the contact pieces l5 and [6being normally held out of contact with each other. Abutments 19 areprovided (Figs. 1 and 3) for limiting the pivotal movement of feeler 3.

The space between feelers 2 and 3 which determines the amplitude oflateral deviation of the side edge of the cloth 5 at the maximum" may beregulated by sliding the feeler 3 in lengthwise direction of its axle 30by means of link 28 fixed to said axle and threadedly engaging anadjustable screw-threaded bolt or pin 22 having a knurled head 2|, whichpin is swingable in slot 20 of easing l and is anchored in and.carriedby the feeler 3.

In order to permit regulation of the relative position of the guiderollers 6 and 1 to lid 4, these guide rollers are mounted on the ends oflevers or brackets 23 which can be narrowed or spaced at will by movingor turning the same about their lower supporting axle 24. These bracketsinclude slides 25 through which pass threaded rods 28 which are fixed tothe lid and which are provided with respective set screws or collars 21.

The operation of the contact device in accordance with this invention isas follows:

During normal movement of cloth 5 (Fig. 2), feeler 2 controlling theminimum" position is engaged by the selvedge of cloth 5 which actuatesthe feeler 2 against the action of spring l2 and thus spaces the contactpiece or tip in from the stationary contact piece II. The feeler 3controlling the maximum position is held and retained by spring I! in aposition in which the contact piece or tip I5 is spaced from stationarycontact point I6.

If the cloth deviates in lateral direction or if the width thereofdecreases so that the selvedge is not in contact with or leaves thefeeler 2, the latter freed from the frictional action of the cloth willthen be shifted by means of spring l2 to assume a position indicated inFig. 3 whereby to bring about connection between contact pieces [0 and II. An electric circuit is then established which sets in motion drivingelements (not shown) which place the selvedge back onto the feeler 2whose displacement will lead anew to the disconnection of the contact.

As soon as the selvedge passes a certain distance beyond the feeler 2,which distance is determined by the space control of feelers 2 and 3.the cloth will actuate feeler 2 and now also feeler 3 which latter willbe shifted (Fig. 4) to a position where the contact pieces l5 and it arein engagement with each other, whereby driving elements (not shown) areset in motion which will shift the selvedge back to its normal limitedposition.

It can thus be seen that there has been provided, in accordance with thepresent invention, a control mechanism for regulating the position ofguide means in relation to cloth material presented in full width tofinishing and like machines comprising a casing having a lid, two feelerelements having upper and lower parts, respectively. and arranged inspaced relation to each other in said casing, respective journals withinsaid casing and permitting independent pivotal movement of said feelers,respectively, the upper parts of said feelers projecting beyond said lidand being adapted for frictional engagement with respective side edgeportions of said cloth material, roller means above said lid for guidingsaid cloth material in engagement with said upper feeler parts,respective spring means connected to said upper feeler parts andextending therefrom for anchorage to said lid of said casing, meansdisposed adjacent said journals for regulating the distance between bothsaid feelers according to the width of said cloth material to be guided,the lower parts of said feelers carrying respective electric contacttips, and 0ppositely arranged stationary contact pieces fixed to saidcasing and disposed therein for cooperation with said contact tips ofsaid lower feeler parts, respectively, whereby said cloth material maybe moved between said upper feeler parts so that lateral deviation ofsaid cloth material will cause on account of the action of respectivespring means pivotal movement of a predetermined feeler whose contacttip is brought into engagement with the respective stationary contactpiece for closing a circuit passing through said contact tip and contactpiece.

In accordance with the above, it is well understood that deviations andchanges may be made in the embodiment herein set forth without departingfrom the spirit of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. A control mechanism responsive to lateral deviations of a side edgeof web material presented in full width to finishing and like machinescomprising a casing having a lid. two feeler elements having upper andlower parts, respectively, and substantially positioned in said casing,respective journals intermediate said upper and lower feeler parts andarranged in said casing perpendicular to the direction of movement ofsaid web material, said journals permitting pivotal movement of saidfeelers, respectively, the upper parts of said feelers projecting beyondsaid lid and being both adapted for engagement with said side edge ofsaid web material, means above said lid guiding said side edge of saidweb material for normal engagement with one of said upper feeler parts,the other of said upper feeler parts being arranged for engagement withsaid side edge of said web material when the latter deviates in onedirection beyond said one upper feeler part, respective spring meansconnected to said upper feeler parts and extending therefrom foranchorage to said casing, the lower parts of said feelers carryingrespective electric contact tips. oppositely arranged stationary contactpieces supported by said casing and disposed therein for cooperationwith said contact tips of said lower feeler parts, respectively, wherebylateral deviation of said side edge of said web material will causepivotal movement of a predetermined feeler so that its lower contact tipcarrying part engages the respective stationary contact piece forclosing a circuit.

2. Control mechanism responsive to lateral deviations of a side edge ofweb material preseated in full width to substantially perpendicular toeach other, roller means above said lid guiding said web material forengagement with one of said upper feeler parts, the other of said upperfeeler parts bein arranged for engagement with said side edge of saidweb material when the latter deviates in one direction beyond said oneupper feeler part, respective spring means connected to said upperfeeler parts and extending therefrom for anchorage to said lid of saidcasing, the lower parts of said feelers carrying respective electriccontact tips, and oppositely arranged stationary contact pieces disposedin said casing for cooperation with said contact tips of said lowerfeeler parts, respectively, whereby lateral deviation of said side edgeof said web material causes pivotal movement of a predetermined one ofsaid feelers whose contact tip is brought inengagement with therespective stationary contact piece for closing an electric circuit.

3. Control mechanism responsive to lateral deviations of a side edge ofweb material presented in full width to finishing and like machinescomprising a casing having a lid; two feeler elements having upper andlower parts, respectively, and arranged in spaced relation to each otherin said casing, respective journals within said casing and permittingindependent pivotal movement of said feelers, respectively, the upperparts of said feelers projecting beyond said lid and being adaptedforfrictional engagement with said side edge of said'web material,roller means above said lid for normally guiding said web material inengagement with one of said upper feeler parts, the other of said upperfeeler parts being arranged for engagement with said side edge of saidweb material when the latter deviates in one direction beyond said oneupper feeler part, respective spring means connected to said upperfeeler parts and extending therefrom for anchorage to said lid of saidcasing, screw-threaded adjusting means disposed adjacent said journalsfor regulating the distance between both said feelers according 'to thewidth of said web material to be guided, the lower parts of said feelerscarrying respective electric contact tips, and oppositely arrangedstationary contact pieces fixed to said casing and disposed therein forcooperation with said contact tips of said lower feeler parts,respectively, whereby lateral deviation of said side edgeof said webmaterial causes pivotal movement of a predetermined one of said feelerswhose contact tip is brought in engagement with the respectivestationary contact piece for closing a circuit.

4. Control mechanism responsive to lateral deviations of a side edge ofweb material presented in full width to finishing and like machines;comprising two feeler elements having upper and lower parts,respectively, and arranged in spaced relation to each other, respectivesupporting means permitting independent pivotal movement of saidfeelers, respectively, the upper part of one of said feeler elementsnormally engaging said side edge of said web material, the upper part ofthe other feeler element being engageable with said side edge of saidweb material when the sam e deviates laterally in one direction beyond apredetermined width, respective spring means connected to said upperfeeler parts, screw-threaded means connected to one of said feelerelements for displacing the same relatively to its respective supportingmeans and for regulating the distance between both said feeler elementsaccording to said predetermined width of said web material, the lowerparts of said feelers carrying respective electric contact tips, andoppositely arranged stationary contact pieces disposed for cooperationwith said contact tips of said lower feeler parts, respectively, wherebylateral deviation of said side edge of said web material causes eitherdisengagement of the latter from one of said upper feeler parts andrelease of a respective spring means to pivotally move said one feelerwith its contact tip into engagement with the respective stationarycontact piece or into engagement with both said upper feeler parts andclosing of an electric circuit through the respective contact tip ofsaid other feeler and its corresponding stationary contact piece.

5. In a controlling device, which is responsive to lateral deviations ofthe sideedge of a lengthy sheet material; a support, two feeler meansdisposed spaced from each other and for pivotal movement on saidsupport, mechanically operable adjusting means carried by said supportand operatively connected to one of said feeler means for regulating thedistance between said feeler means, each feeler means having an upperfeeler part for engagement with said material and a lower contact piececarrying part, corresponding stationary contact pieces engageable withsaid contact pieces of said lower feeler parts, respectively, forclosing an electric circuit, and spring means disposed on said supportand engaging said feeler means, respectively, one of said spring meansurging one of said feeler means to move its contact piece for engagementwith the corresponding stationary contact piece if said side ed e ofsaid material is out-of-engagement with said one feeler means, theaction of said other spring means being overcome upon extent of saidside edge of said material beyond said one feeler means and in contactwith said other feeler means whereby an electric circuit is closedthrough said contact piece of said other feeler means with itscorresponding stationary contact piece.

6. In a controlling device which is responsive to lateral deviations ofthe side edge of a lengthy sheet material; a support, two feeler meansdisposed spaced from each other and for pivotal movement on saidsupport, each feeler means having an upper feeler part for engagementwith said material and a lower contact piece carrying part,corresponding stationary contact pieces engageable with said contactpieces of said lower feeler parts, respectively, for closing an electriccircuit, said upper feeler parts including sheet material contactsurfaces extending substantially perpendicular to each other and springmeans disposed on said support and engaging said feeler means,respectively, one of said spring means urging one of said feeler meansto move its contact piece for engagement with the correspondingstationary contact piece if said side edge of said material is out ofengagement with said including adjustable screw means connected to 10one of said feeler means for displacing the same relatively to the otherfeeler means so as to regulate the distance between both said feelermeans according to a predetermined width of said material, saidconnected means being journalled on ll said support.

JULIEN DUNGLER.

8 Jan-renames crrnn iiiie tollowing references are of record in the tileof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,219,345 Newell Mar. 13, 19171,776,224 Hogan Sept. 16, 1930 2,048,766 Wood July 28, 1936 2,144,124Rozyskie Jan. 17, 1939 2,185,773 Nash Jan, 2, 1940 2,237,341 DunglerApr. 8, 1941

